What trade and investment means to young people

Article Date: 29 August, 2017

BritishAmerican Business met with a group of American high school students who were visiting the UK on a two-week immersion programme to find out more about the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss transatlantic trade and investment – and to find out what it means to students.

There is no doubt that transatlantic trade and investment is immensely important to the two economies.Bilateral trade in goods and services between the United States and United Kingdom accounts for more than $130 billion.

However, trade has also received a negative connotation over the past few years on both sides of the Atlantic – particularly in the wake of discussions around the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and other global trade agreements including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) between America and 11 Pacific states.

The end result of these negative connotations has been a break-down in trade talks.Among the many complexities that led to this halt in talks was that trade proponents had not succeeded in making a good case for trade.

Many people were not aware, and still aren’t, of the benefits of trade and therefore were not in favour of such agreements.

What BritishAmerican Business discovered was that a new approach to trade talks is needed by Government and business.

Students were asked what their understanding of trade is, and what a business organisation like BritishAmerican Business should do.

The students reiterated the importance of finding a ‘deal’ that is beneficial to both sides.

By involving the next generation of leaders in discussions around trade and investment, BritishAmerican Business hopes to deliver a strong message around the importance of trade, and the benefits it can provide to communities around the globe.

The BABC Midlands is committed to promoting transatlantic trade and investment among our international group of businesses.